Research and Commercialization Supervisor

Function: Research & Development / Commercial
Job Title: Research and Commercialization Supervisor
Job Grade: N/A
Department: Research & Development / New Product Development
Duty Station: Uganda
Line Manager: Research & Commercialization Manager
Supervises: Research and Commercialization Trainees (GITs)

Job Purpose

The Research and Commercialization Supervisor is responsible for supporting the end-to-end introduction of new product development at Movit Africa Limited; from coordinating regulatory approval, market testing/Consumer evaluations, Market simulations and successful commercial launch. The role bridges R&D, Marketing, Production, and Sales functions to ensure new products are developed on time, meet quality and regulatory standards, and are commercialized in a way that drives market uptake and revenue growth.

Key Customers

Marketing Team
Sales & Distribution Team
Production/Manufacturing Team

Stakeholders

Consumers/Distributors
Senior Management

Functional Outputs/Activities per Key Performance Area

Lead New Product Consumer Evaluations

Conduct market and consumer research to identify new product opportunities, emerging trends, and gaps within the beauty and personal care category.
Support R&D through necessary consumer evaluations to develop and refine product prototypes that meet, Consumer, quality, safety, and cost targets.
Conduct benchmarking studies against competitor products to inform product positioning and differentiation.

Manage Product Testing, Regulatory Compliance & Approvals

Coordinate consumer acceptance testing of new products prior to launch.
Maintain accurate documentation of new product development, test results, and regulatory approvals for audit and compliance purposes.

Drive Product Commercialization & Go-To-Market Execution

Together with category teams, develop and execute commercialization plans for new products, including launch timelines, pricing input, and go-to-market readiness.
Collaborate with Marketing to develop product positioning, packaging, and promotional materials that align with brand and consumer needs.
Coordinate with Production and Supply Chain to ensure timely scale-up of manufacturing and product availability for launch.

Support Market Testing & Post-Launch Performance Review

Organize and oversee pilot launches, market trials, and consumer feedback sessions ahead of full-scale rollout.
Track and analyse post-launch sales performance and consumer feedback, recommending adjustments to improve product success.
Prepare periodic reports on product performance, market response, and commercialization outcomes for management review.

Manage Cross-Functional Collaboration & Project Coordination

Coordinate cross-functional project teams (R&D, Marketing, Production, Sales, Finance) to ensure alignment throughout the product development lifecycle.
Track project milestones and timelines for all new product initiatives, escalating risks or delays to the Line Manager.

Financial Management

Monitor and control the budget allocated for research, consumer evaluations, and commercialization activities.

Risk Management

Identify risks related to product development, regulatory compliance, and market commercialization, and propose mitigation measures.

Compliance

Ensure regulatory compliance in the execution of research and commercialization duties.
Ensure adherence to Movit Africa Limited and in-country policies and procedures.
Prepare and submit monthly reports.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.
A postgraduate qualification in Product Development, Marketing, or Business Management is an added advantage.

Related Minimum Experience

Minimum of three (3) years’ relevant work experience in product research, development, or commercialization, preferably within the FMCG, cosmetics, or personal care industry.

Competencies Required

Behavioural

Must be of unquestionable integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, and professionalism.

Leadership

Strong leadership potential to guide cross-functional teams through research and commercialization projects.
Must be a self-starter with an appreciation for innovation, business growth, and market priorities.

Knowledge

Sound knowledge of cosmetic/personal care product formulation, manufacturing processes, and regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of market research methodologies and product lifecycle management.
Advanced experience with MS Office.

Skills

Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Effective planning, coordination, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders.

Attributes

Drive for results and innovation.
Ability to harness peer relationships across departments.
Creativity and problem-solving skills.
Strong planning and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

Occasional travel is required for supplier visits, market research, trainings, and conferences; location may vary and may require overnight stays.
Light physical activities and efforts required working in an office and/or laboratory environment.

Job Assessment

Interview.
Psychometric assessment.